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Monday marked the first day of football practice at many North Texas high schools, but coaching staffs are keeping a close eye on the thermometer to ensure their players stay safe. (Published Monday, Aug. 4, 2014)

North Texas athletic teams took the field or court on Monday for the first official practice of the season.

"It feels great being back out here. I waited so long," said Adamson football player Joseph Taylor.

Two-a-Day Practices Underway in North Texas

North Texas athletic teams took the field or court on Monday for the first official practice of the season. This is the first year that all 22 high school football teams in the Dallas Independent School District will have an athletic trainer designated just for them. (Published Monday, Aug. 4, 2014)

DISD Athletic Trainer Ryan Pena oversees several schools. He said the trainers are working closely with the coaches to decide if the heat becomes too much for players.

"We've always had a good dialogue with our coaches and very open communication with them," Pena said. "And the people that we’ve brought it, we're really fostering that communication as well."

Athletic trainers said the biggest concern for the first week of August is the heat.

Some of the treatments for heat exhaustion include ice baths, misting fans and keeping athletes hydrated.

HS Football Two-A-Days Begin

North Texas athletic teams took the field or court on Monday for the first official practice of the season. This is the first year that all 22 high school football teams in the Dallas Independent School District will have an athletic trainer designated just for them. (Published Monday, Aug. 4, 2014)

University Interscholastic League requires schools to give students a four-day acclimation period. This mean for football teams — no pads, only helmets, and no contact until Friday.

Coaches also said they cannot be on the football field between noon and 6 p.m.

"They're going to get continuous water breaks, probably more than they want. Some of them we have to force to drink water. But we're constantly looking out for their safety," said Josh Ragsdale, W.H. Adamson High School Head Football Coach.

NBC 5 contacted the Fort Worth Independent School District and a spokesperson for the district said there is no hard and fast rule, but right now the student athletes are practicing in the morning and evening. If the heat index reaches 105 degrees, outdoor activities are suspended, but a coach can decide to do that earlier.

High School Football Two-A-Days Begin

Two-a-days start for high school football teams across North Texas. NBC 5's Ellen Bryan was live at W.H. Adamson High School in Dallas to talk to about how coaches and trainers get athletes conditioned for the Texas heat while keeping them safe. (Published Monday, Aug. 4, 2014)